What does Grace look like?

The preacher at tonight’s Eucharist service on campus asked that question, then answered it with several examples he has seen recently in worship services. Those examples made me think of two places that Ray and I have been on recent Sunday mornings. We were asked to fill in at each of these churches over the past few weeks, while their pastors were on vacation.

(For those who want to know how we handle this – we just took turns. I preached and led worship twice in the city church, with Ray giving the children’s sermons; then he preached and led worship at the rural church. Guess that means it will be my turn to preach next!)

These two Lutheran churches are quite different: one is a stately brick church in a small Southern city, which recently celebrated its 125th anniversary; the other is an even older rustic, white-sided country church. One seems to have grown steadily and prospered throughout its existence; the other has had to struggle to survive, but now flourishes.

But they also have much in common. For God’s grace is clearly present in both places – in the worship services, in the fellowship the members share, and in the ministries they both provide to their communities!

I have had the opportunity in the past few years to learn a bit of the story of both places. The city church was started with only a few members – those in the community who were already Lutheran. The rural church has had its share of challenges - a previous pastor told me that he knew when he served there, that if attendance didn’t increase, the church might close. I have also been blessed to get to know some of the members - to hear stories of their lives and to share some of my stories with them.

What strikes me most is both how alive and alike these two congregations are! They are in different places, with different kinds of pastors, with their own unique challenges; yet God has been present with them and in their ministries; they grow and flourish and worship God and love and serve their neighbors. They have been blessed by God so that they can be a blessing to others (including visiting seminarians).

Grace looks like that to me!